Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

I meant, will you be accepting the “School Chicks” as your own, someday?

They will always be known as The School Chicks to me

It’s easier to count them if I group them:
originals
Cousin’s
Niece’s
First chicks
School chicks + Tippy
Azurs
Sophia’s
The Roo…..

Break it down to manageable numbers, doesn’t seem that many that way!

 

[bgmathteach]

So, for Mugs Monday, a troublesome duo! The darker girl had gotten injured on her hind quarter - the one with more copper has been her 'friend/companion' while she healed. The two are a hoot (and yes, she is all better now). The one with more copper is very inquisitive (as you can probably tell by the photos0, but the injured girl is much more tolerant of 'mommy' wanting to hold her - ESPECIALLY if she is hold ing a mealworm while doing so!!!

Neither is cuddly, but they do tolerate mom's attentions. Now to reintegrate them back in with the flock!

Speaking of 'flock' @RoyalChick , this is my take yesterday.

The exact same for the past 3-4 days. I think I have 2 scabs in my midst that are crossing the picket line!!!! No one else is laying but the two chickens that laid these eggs. Even the ducks have only been laying 4-5 eggs - but considering that they are molting, and all but 4 are 4 +, then i'm completely fine with that. However, you 45+ adult girls - come on! Really - only 2 eggs a day??? If each of you only laid one egg a week - that would still be roughly 6 eggs a day!

So, I am unsure of how to proceed, as the AFCU - TSG local 13 hasn't answered my counter offer, nor have they stopped tree sitting, but they HAVE stopped laying eggs (again, all but the 2 'scabs'

(And, personally, the green egg layer - SHOULD stop - or at least stop laying jumbo sized eggs - she is fairly petite! I am pretty sure each of these last 3 eggs are double yolkers. She has only laid one double yolker prior to this - now, since molting - she has onnly laid 1 regular sized egg.

 

[featherhead007]

They will always be known as The School Chicks to me

It’s easier to count them if I group them:
originals
Cousin’s
Niece’s
First chicks
School chicks + Tippy
Azurs
Sophia’s
The Roo…..

Break it down to manageable numbers, doesn’t seem that many that way!

Incredibly, that actually makes sense!

 

[featherhead007]

So, for Mugs Monday, a troublesome duo! The darker girl had gotten injured on her hind quarter - the one with more copper has been her 'friend/companion' while she healed. The two are a hoot (and yes, she is all better now). The one with more copper is very inquisitive (as you can probably tell by the photos0, but the injured girl is much more tolerant of 'mommy' wanting to hold her - ESPECIALLY if she is hold ing a mealworm while doing so!!!

Neither is cuddly, but they do tolerate mom's attentions. Now to reintegrate them back in with the flock!


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Speaking of 'flock' @RoyalChick , this is my take yesterday.

View attachment 3678123
The exact same for the past 3-4 days. I think I have 2 scabs in my midst that are crossing the picker line!!!! No one else is laying but the two chickens that laid these eggs. Even the ducks have only been laying 4-5 eggs - but considering that they are molting, and all but 4 are 4 +, then i'm completely fine with that. However, you 45+ adult girls - come on! Really - only 2 eggs a day??? If each of you only laid one egg a week - that would still be roughly 6 eggs a day!

So, I am unsure of how to proceed, as the AFCU - TSG local 13 hasn't answered my counter offer, nor have they stopped tree sitting, but they HAVE stopped laying eggs (again, all but the 2 'scabs'

(And, personally, the green egg layer - SHOULD stop - or at least stop laying jumbo sized eggs - she is fairly petite! I am pretty sure each of these last 3 eggs are double yolkers. She has only laid one double yolker prior to this - now, since molting - she has onnly laid 1 regular sized egg.

Union contracts/conflicts can be brutal. I lost my battle with my tribe already,
(No more eggs)

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

What a brat! But love that she feels she can sit on eggs already! These silkies are just such little demons!

So when do you think she will start laying eggs!?

Technically she could lay sometime this month if she is truly as old as I was told. I do not see it. She does not look mature enough to be close to laying. I actually would prefer her to wait until late January or early February before she starts. I want all her energy going into growing bigger instead of producing a egg.

 

[rural mouse]

Incredibly, that actually makes sense!

I do head count for total number. When I come up short and am figuring out who is missing, then I break it down into the assorted age groups. Mine don't roost in the age groups. They mix it all up once they start laying.

 

[featherhead007]

I do head count for total number. When I come up short and am figuring out who is missing, then I break it down into the assorted age groups. Mine don't roost in the age groups. They mix it all up once they start laying.

I have only 8 chooks to count at roosting time. FYI

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I noticed yesterday I felt I was getting sprayed while checking Hazel's crop (and getting some stuck-on poop off one of her feet). Today she has terribly bubbly eyes, and her nares or lungs are rattling when she breathes. This morning I didn't see it, but in taking Mugs Monday shots this afternoon I saw she has been shaking and scratching the bubbles off, then they come back. So, I've started her on the Baytril 10%, for her weight of 5lbs 5oz, .25 ml 2x/day. I hope she responds as well as Anna did. Poor girl was trembling when I wrapped her and gave her the dose. I do handle them but she and Popcorn have always been the most nervous about it. Peanut and Butters were much more mellow. Despite her fear she was more compliant than fighting it.

Hazel
Her appetite is good, good crop before bed, but she did retire early

The gang and any new chicks are doomed to this respiratory disease, whatever it is. I've read some people cull everyone, and that's just out of the question, beyond the pale to me.

Figuring this is a long-term issue, what do I do if/when the Baytril runs out? Go back to the vet? I also have Amoxy-Tyl powder, and that's it. The enrofloxacin is better?

Not sure what's triggered this for Hazel, the new pavers going down stressing her, or her molt, which isn't heavy and seems finishing, her feathers are looking great, or Popcorn's heavy molt and different behavior, or losing and really missing her close buddy Peanut, and then also her other companion and underling Butters?

Popcorn, her new feathers are coming in nicely (lower cozy panels are off)

The Spuds preening on their upper level perch (btw the cozy panel up here is off too)
Diane-Ida

Tedi

Anna
Still smaller, maybe always will be, having lost at least a week-10 days of growth when she was sick and not able to eat on her own. She has a good appetite but tends to hang back a little timidly, so I make sure she gets a turn when I'm feeding everyone out of my hands

Anna and Tedi and Diane-Ida's beak

 

[bgmathteach]

I can't believe how settled she became on my lap, she actually enjoyed her cuddle and let me tickle her wattles, not like her at all

I am sure that Princess is missing Tina, and is probably quite lonely. You are a dear to cuddle with her - I am sure she needs you more than ever now that her partner in crime has passed.Hugs to both of you!

Would you be able to get another older, rescue hen for Princess to have as a companion? Maybe 2? It is awful hard on a chicken being alone.

 

[ManueB]

I noticed yesterday I felt I was getting sprayed while checking Hazel's crop (and getting some stuck-on poop off one of her feet). Today she has terribly bubbly eyes, and her nares or lungs are rattling when she breathes. This morning I didn't see it, but in taking Mugs Monday shots this afternoon I saw she has been shaking and scratching the bubbles off, then they come back. So, I've started her on the Baytril 10%, for her weight of 5lbs 5oz, .25 ml 2x/day. I hope she responds as well as Anna did. Poor girl was trembling when I wrapped her and gave her the dose. I do handle them but she and Popcorn have always been the most nervous about it. Peanut and Butters were much more mellow. Despite her fear she was more compliant than fighting it.

Hazel
Her appetite is good, good crop before bed, but she did retire early
View attachment 3678150
View attachment 3678151
The gang and any new chicks are doomed to this respiratory disease, whatever it is. I've read some people cull everyone, and that's just out of the question, beyond the pale to me.

Figuring this is a long-term issue, what do I do if/when the Baytril runs out? Go back to the vet? I also have Amoxy-Tyl powder, and that's it. The enrofloxacin is better?

Not sure what's triggered this for Hazel, the new pavers going down stressing her, or her molt, which isn't heavy and seems finishing, her feathers are looking great, or Popcorn's heavy molt and different behavior, or losing and really missing her close buddy Peanut, and then also her other companion and underling Butters?

Popcorn, her new feathers are coming in nicely (lower cozy panels are off)
View attachment 3678148
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The Spuds preening on their upper level perch (btw the cozy panel up here is off too)
Diane-Ida
View attachment 3678155

Tedi
View attachment 3678153


Anna
Still smaller, maybe always will be, having lost at least a week-10 days of growth when she was sick and not able to eat on her own. She has a good appetite but tends to hang back a little timidly, so I make sure she gets a turn when I'm feeding everyone out of my hands
View attachment 3678154

Anna and Tedi and Diane-Ida's beak
View attachment 3678156

I also hope Hazel responds to enrofloxacin.

For the future, I think you could try to have a PCR for Mycoplasma and test for IB, as they seem the most common respiratory disease.
Mycoplasma does not respond to amoxicillin but it does to Tylosin so my guess is the amoxyl-tyl powder could be useful if they have MG.
At some point, if you want to treat, you will probably need to get in touch with the vet team again. Or, I maybe shouldn't say this, but there are many possibilities of ordering unaccessible meds online if one searches a little. I would not personally do it for antibiotics but I have done it for dewormers and miconazole from sites in other countries.